Takedown Report

Why The NCAA Wrestling Rules Committee Nixed The ‘Turning Point’ Proposal

For a stretch this spring, college wrestling coaches, administrators and fans pondered the possibility of a radical change to one of the sport’s longtime scoring pillars. 

In April, the NCAA wrestling rules committee proposed raising the bar for a riding time point. Instead of just needing a minute or more of advantage time, the group pushed forward a rule that would’ve also required a wrestler to score near-fall points — a proposal that became known by some as “the turning point.” 

In the end, it was the only one of 14 rule change proposals that didn’t get approved for next season. The rule change process includes a two-week feedback period for coaches and administrators to weigh in on committee proposals before the NCAA’s Playing Rules Oversight Panel decides whether to give the final stamp of approval. Ultimately, the riding time change never made it to the Playing Rules Oversight Panel. 

The feedback period became a turning point in sinking the turning point. The rules committee pulled it off the table after an estimated 65 percent of respondents opposed the proposal, according to Rider coach and committee chair John Hangey. 

“It opened our eyes and it was a lot of traditionalist thought — and that’s OK and that’s good because we have a great sport and we want to preserve it,” Hangey said. “But at the same time, the job of the committee is to take that feedback and decipher it and analyze it and make the proper decision for the sport. And we did just that. … rest of story at … Flowrestling.org/Why-the-ncaa-wrestling-rules-committee-nixed-the-turning-point-proposal

July 4, 2023 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized